Liao

[ljaʊ˨˩] · particle

Meaning

(Singlish, Manglish) Indicates action completion, or more generally, perfective aspect..

Definitions by Sense

1. (Singlish, Manglish) Indicates action completion, or more generally, perfective aspect.
2. (Singlish, Manglish) Marks a change in state, more or less in the same manner as the inchoative aspect (see usage notes).
3. (Singapore, colloquial) Meats, vegetables, and other ingredients added to an otherwise plain dish.

Example Sentences

I run 4 laps liao.

You decorate the cake liao?

I’ve been working for six months liao.

It’s going to rain liao.

Reach liao, give me a call.

Damn shag liao, need to go back and sleep.

It was a weekday and I asked for a bowl of hokkien mee. The old lady told me “No more liao, you came too late”. Ok fine, it was my fault on getting here too late.

“Of course I’m sympathetic […] But you’re dead liao mah. Your parents also were suffering. Angry for what now?”

Synonyms for liao

Antonyms for liao

Related Words

Word Forms

• leow
• lo
• loh

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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Frequently Asked Questions